PyTermTalk-Ref 🖥️💬

A Python reference implementation of a terminal-based chat program using sockets. Supports both server and client modes. This project serves as a starting point for building a production-ready terminal chat application.

⚠️ Warning: This script does not provide authentication. Do not use it for production or sensitive purposes.

The original script by Andrea Ciarrocchi was published in Linux Magazine, October 2025.

Features

• Terminal-based chat via sockets
• Non-blocking communication using threads
• Supports multiple clients simultaneously
• Easy to extend and modify for educational purposes

Installation & running from PyPi

mkdir testing && cd testing
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install pytermtalk-ref

# and now run the script ...

python pytermtall-ref

# when finished, deactivate the venv:

deactivate

Installation & running from PyPi with uv

When using the uv tool:

mkdir testing && cd testing
uv init
uv add pytermtalk-ref

# and now run the script ...

uv run pytermtalk-ref

Installation & running from github

When using the uv tool:

git clone https://github.com/rikroos/pytermtalk-ref.git
cd pytermtalk-ref
uv run pytermtalk-ref

Otherwise, if not using the uv tool:

git clone https://github.com/rikroos/pytermtalk-ref.git
cd pytermtalk-ref
python src/pytermtalk_ref/chat.py

Usage

On startup, choose between server or client mode.

Server Mode

• Initializes a socket (127.0.0.1:5555)
• Starts listening for client connections
• Launches a thread for non-blocking broadcasting to all connected clients
• For each new client, a separate thread is created to handle communication

Client Mode

• Initializes a socket (127.0.0.1:5555)
• Launches a thread to receive messages from the server non-blocking
• Messages may come from other clients or the server operator
• Client can send messages to other clients via the server

Future Work

• None, the project serves as a reference implementation for other projects

Example

# Start server
$ uv run pytermtalk-ref

Warning: do not use in production environments or for exchanging sensitive information!

Start server or client? (s/c): s
[LISTENING] Server is listening on 127.0.0.1:5555
[NEW CONNECTION] ('127.0.0.1', 33076) connected.
('127.0.0.1', 33076): Hi there. Anybody home?

# Start client
$ uv run pytermtalk-ref

Warning: do not use in production environments or for exchanging sensitive information!

Start server or client? (s/c): c
Hi there. Anybody home?

License

MIT License